Institute of International Relations～Keio University～
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http://www.keio-iir.org
SKIP2014 has started with welcome ceremony on August 31th!
We all enjoyed talking with each other, and I think we made a good start for this program.
We invited the manager officer from Japan Self-Defense Force on September 1st, and received a lecture about the function of JGSDF in Great East Japan Earthquake. It was a special opportunity to listen to the real disaster relief operation and role of US armed force in 3.11. In the discussion, we talked about various problems regarding the topic such as role of media and nuclear plant. This program is to be followed by Media Day (Sep 3rd) and Iwaki Trip (Sep 4th-6th). It will enable us to deliver more insightful thoughts on the final presentation!
Shinto Day ～What Shinto or religion means to our modern society and culture?～ We are very grateful for the cooperation of Meiji Shrine to provide a special tour, lecture, and ceremony of worship. It was an extraordinary opportunity to have students who believe in different religions and discuss what it means to them. Many of the students agreed that Shinto could be considered as one aspect of Japanese culture deeply embedded into the society. In addition, one keyword regarding religion was ‘sense of unity’, or at the time of disaster or unfortunate, it could bring us a ‘sense of hope’. After the session, the participants enjoyed hanging out in Harajuku area!
We paid a visit to TV station (TV Asahi) as a studio tour, and learned how TV programs are produced and how difficult it is for journalist to cover at the disastrous district at that time. Also, we invited a professor of Temple University, who is familiar with US media and Japanese media, and received a lecture from him. We had a discussion about what the roles of media are and our relation with media in the future.
We were here in Iwaki. We went to temporary market located in elementary school ground; there we met people who suffer from 3.11. It was a great chance for Stanford students to talk directly to the local people. We also went to tsunami affected area where the isolated shrine stands. The shrine symbolizes people's hope, since it survived severe tsunami. In addition, we were able to see solar power plant on the mountain. One of the most extraordinary experiences for Stanford students was ‘Japanese hot spring’. This short trip was taking us to something completely different from Tokyo Life, which we sincerely hope bring students more insightful experience of Japan.
In the morning, we had an agricultural experience. It was much harder than we had expected, but it was a precious time for us.We had a chance to hear about damage of harmful rumors, which causes by nuclear problem.In the afternoon, we visited a small to medium-sized enterprise-'Shioya Industry'. After 3.11, Japanese Government supported this company with a "company location subsidy (financial support)" for revival of Fukushima Prefecture. Shioya Industry introduces 3D laser cutting equipment of steel frame processing. This technology might be a sign of revival from the disaster. We had dinner with Keio University graduates. We enjoyed Japanese food like sashimi.
We'll visit Iwaki City Onahama Daiichi Junior High School. Junior high school students started to get families with talks and the whole room became more lively and brighten. We were very amazed to see Iwaki student's attitude toward their future. For example, many of the students wanted to make society better after going through the Tohoku disaster. The experience remained me of our junior high days, and was such a opportunity for university students to reconsider about their own "dream".
The 1st day we went to Nissan Motor Co. We were able to learn and discuss about what they are presently doing such as having awareness of environmental issues, global R&D;,risk management and what Nissan is planning to do in the future. After the lectures, we had a chance to ride the choi-mobi and Leaf.It was very inspiring to hear from the people of Nissan at the end of the day what is essential in becoming a global leader.
The group″Techno Pop″ visited Mitaka-city hall, and Nogawa Osawa regulation reservoir to learn about the city's flood control measures. We were lectured about some administrative countermeasures taken against flood in Mitaka-city. After several minutes drive from the city hall, we were guided to Nogawa Osaswa regulation reservoir where they usually use it as a sports ground. ji！
The 1st day the group "Bio" visited Plant Molecular Physiology and Central Institute for Experimental Animals. We learned about improvement of plant's breed and were guided to its laboratories. At Central Institute for Experimental Animals, a number of mice and marmoset are raised for medical research and we was able to see some laboratories as well.
The group "Robot" visited 4 of KEIO Science and Technology department Labs. Prof. Miki, Prof. Onishi, Prof. Ando, Prof. Ishikuro explained and showed us their research in English. All of them were so innovative technology and we were very excited. After that, we discussed "Innovative robot which we wish and how should Japan and US should cooperate for that.
[Tenth Day]STUDY TOUR VOL.2!!
The group "Cars" visited Mitsubishi Motors. We first had a presentation mainly about PHEV & Q&A; sessions. After understanding PHEVs' strategies comparing to any other Engine cars or EVs, we actually test-rode Outlander PHEV to Odaiba. It was impressively quiet and we enjoyed the time much under the perfect weather! Also we saw a showroom that showed us the history of Mitsubishi Motors within many vintage cars. Lastly, we exchanged our opinion about "What is the effective way of promoting PHEV in the U.S. or in Japan". Together with a company visit to Nissan, we had such a great opportunities to learn and think of better solutions of car industry towards the future!
As for the second day of ″Techno-Pop″, our destinations were, first to a leading computer science company called Team Lab, and then to a river water intake tunnel in Zenpukuji. Products Team Lab creates have a favor of artwork rather than commercial profuct. Team Lab aims to popularize sophisticated technologies among people and make them as a part of people's ordinary life. The artwork under the company’s concept of eternity is invulnerable product and never gets tired of looking at. We quite enjoyed experiencing their fine technologies, and we could learn how they are trying to change public senses of value by their artwork. The visit to the water intake underground tunnel located 43m below ground, was also a stimulating real experience for us. We learnt its mechanism with the experience that we had visual contacts on the underground tunnel that can contain 530,000 tons of water. Many cities are under a threat of flood with the excess of continued urbanization, but now we realize that our cities are protected with the sophisticated technology of water controlling system.
The group"Bio" visited National Center for Child Health and Development. We were lectured about understanding of human pluripotent stem cell. After that, we were able to see its laboratories in this center. At the lecture, what ES cells and iPS cells are like is explained at the basic level to advanced level in order to make us, even some of whom don't major in Biology, grasp easily. Also, we felt that there are some differences about rules or restriction to studies and experiments between japan and US.
The second day, we went "Daiba" and visited "Honda Robotic". In Daiba, we experienced much technology with our body. Although we know that many innovative technologies are penetrating in our life these days, we can't recognize themselves. But today, we could understand how they are used. At Honda Robotics, we watched demonstration of ASIMO and the engineer explained "HONDA technology", and we students asked some questions about ASIMO. Because all of us are studying engineering, the question was very technical.
The second day, we visited Keio University. We went to the media communication center. We saw ”HIMIZU”, an award winning film. The film was about 3.11. Since we visited Iwaki, we had a lot to think about.
On eleventh day, we went to Kikkoman soy sauce company!! In the morning we went to the factories to see how soy sauce is made and after that we made soy sauce by ourselves. For lunch we had a special and delicious bento prepared by Kikkoman. In the afternoon we went to laboratories and learned about things such as lactic acid bacteria through presentations and experiments. We had a great time.
On twelfthday, we had the Ghibli day!We all enjoyed looking around the museum and learned many interesting information about animation there. After the museum, we had a wonderful lunch time, followed by presentations about what issues Ghiblimovies indicate. Everyone enjoyed learning about Japanese pop culture.
On thirteenth day, we prepared for the overall presentation.
On fourteenth day, SKIP2014 successfully ended. We had final presentation and farewell party on this day.Enormous thank you for all people who supported us and all SKIP2014 participants?